Automatic recharging wireless headset

ABSTRACT

A wireless headset has a body, an ear clip, and at least two devices for converting at least two different sources of energy into electrical power. The body includes an RF integrated circuit in electrical communication with an antenna and a baseband circuit, the baseband circuit being in electrical communication with a microphone and a speaker. The at least two devices for converting at least two different sources of energy into electrical power are in electrical communication with the RF integrated circuit and the baseband circuit. The ear clip is engaged to the body. The at least two sources of energy are selected from the group consisting of solar energy, thermoelectric energy, piezoelectric energy, and vibration energy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/312,023, filed on Dec. 6, 2011, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,340,731on Dec. 25, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/033,366, entitled, “Automatic Recharging Wireless Headset,” by BradenKroll and Mark Kroll, and filed on Feb. 19, 2008, and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 8,160,655 on Apr. 17, 2012, the entire contents of which isincorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wireless headset and in particular toa wireless headset that uses alternative sources of energy to supply itspower requirements.

2. Description of the Related Art

The Bluetooth earpiece is an extremely important part of a moderncellular phone. Many people utilize headsets when conversing on theirmobile phone. In some states, it is illegal to drive and use a mobiletelephone without utilizing a headset. This allows the user a wide rangeof motion without interference from wires.

A problem with current wireless headsets is that they are batterypowered and must be recharged regularly. The user must transport acharging device and cannot practically use a headset while it ischarging. Another problem with battery powered wireless headsets isenvironmental pollution due to the dangerous chemicals in the batterywhen the headset is ultimately disposed.

Walter in U.S. Pat. No. 5,818,946 teaches a solar charged hearing aidwith a large belt clipped apparatus.

Takeuchi in U.S. Pat. No. 7,009,315 teaches a microgenerator or anapparatus for converting vibration energy into electric power. This wasdesigned for a watch empowering in two axes and does not motivate theinstant invention.

Liu in US 2007/0054706 teaches a wireless headset with a vibrationgenerator. This does not have a vibration power converter just avibrator to alert the user when the Bluetooth is in its charger.

Li in U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,749 teaches an onboard electrical powergenerator operated by vibration to generate power in a train.

The art referred to and/or described above is not intended to constitutean admission that any patent, publication or other information referredto herein is “prior art” with respect to this invention. In addition,this section should not be construed to mean that a search has been madeor that no other pertinent information as defined in 37 C.F.R. §1.56(a)exists.

All U.S. patents and applications and all other published documentsmentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief summary of some ofthe claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additionaldetails of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additionalembodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description ofthe Invention below.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification isprovided for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. §1.72.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment, the invention is directed to a wirelessheadset. The wireless headset comprises a body, an ear clip, and two ormore devices for converting two or more different sources of energy intoelectrical power. The body comprises an RF integrated circuit inelectrical communication with an antenna and a baseband circuit. Thebaseband circuit is in electrical communication with a microphone and aspeaker. The ear clip is engaged to the body. The two or more differentsources of electrical power are selected from the group consisting ofsolar energy, thermoelectric energy, piezoelectric energy, and vibrationenergy. The two or more devices for converting two or more differentsources of energy into electrical power are in electrical communicationwith the RF integrated circuit and the baseband circuit.

In at least one embodiment, the invention is directed to a wirelessheadset. The wireless headset comprises a body, an ear clip, threedevices for converting three different sources of energy into electricalpower, and at least three electrical components. The body comprises anRF integrated circuit in electrical communication with an antenna and abaseband circuit. The baseband circuit is in electrical communicationwith a microphone and a speaker. The ear clip is engaged to the body.The four different sources of energy are selected from the groupconsisting of solar energy, thermoelectric energy, piezoelectric energy,and vibration energy. Each of the three devices is in electricalcommunication with an input of one of the at least three electricalcomponents. The three devices for converting three different sources ofenergy into electrical power are in electrical communication with the REintegrated circuit and the baseband circuit. The three or moreelectrical components are selected from the group consisting of a fullwave rectifier and a regulator. Each of the three or more electricalcomponents includes an output, with each output being in electricalcommunication with a power multiplexer. The power multiplexer is inelectrical communication with an energy storage device.

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointedout with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a parthereof. However, for further understanding of the invention, itsadvantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be madeto the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanyingdescriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and describedembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described withspecific reference being made to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary placement of awireless headset in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating an exemplary wireless headset withsolar panels and external controls in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cut-away view illustrating an exemplary wireless headsetwith both vertical and horizontal movement sensing power generators inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary placement of awireless headset with a thermoelectric device in accordance with atleast one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary circuit for thepower handling of a wireless headset in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary circuit for theimplementation of Bluetooth circuitry used to enable the wirelessheadset in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary wireless headsetin the form of a pair of sunglasses with solar cells in accordance withat least one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary lens with solarcells for use with the sunglasses depicted in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there aredescribed in detail herein specific preferred embodiments of theinvention. This description is an exemplification of the principles ofthe invention and is not intended to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments illustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in thefigures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.

FIG. 1 shows a user 2 wearing an embodiment of the wireless headset 4 onthe user's ear 6.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary wireless headset 4 with body 5 isillustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. The wireless headset 4 is shown with a volume control 10 andan on/off switch 12 on the top of the body 5. Ear clip 13, for attachingthe headset to the user's ear, is depicted in an extended position. Earclip 13 is engaged to the body 5.

In at least one embodiment, the wireless headset comprises two or moredevices for converting two or more different sources of energy intoelectrical power. The two or more different sources of electrical powerinclude solar energy, thermoelectric energy, piezoelectric energy, andvibration energy.

In some embodiments of the invention, one of the two or more devices forconverting energy is one or more solar cells. FIG. 2 depicts such adevice, namely a main solar cell 14. FIG. 2 also depicts the wirelessheadset 4 with a second solar cell, a forward solar cell 16. One ofordinary skill will recognize that other embodiments of the presentinvention may include more than two solar cells, or differentlyconfigured solar cells, such as a main solar cell and a rear solar cell(as opposed to a forward solar cell).

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of the wireless headset 4 with another ofthe two or more devices for converting energy into electrical power. Themicrogenerators 20, 22 shown in FIG. 3 convert vibration energy frommovement of the user's body into electrical energy. In FIG. 3, both ahorizontal movement sensing electromagnetic microgenerator 20 and avertical movement sensing electromagnetic microgenerator 22 areillustrated. Microgenerator 20 is oriented on a horizontal axis 21 andmicrogenerator 22 is oriented on a vertical axis 23, thereby allowingthe headset to capture vibration energy from two axes of motion.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the microgenerators 20, 22are designed to operate at low “g” vibration levels, such as between 0 gand 0.1 g of vibration. In at least one embodiment, a thirdmicrogenerator 25 is present, such as depicted in FIG. 3. Althoughmicrogenerator 25 is shown oriented horizontally on an axis (not shown)like microgenerator 20, it may also be oriented vertically likemicrogenerator 22. The microgenerator 25 is a high “g” generator suchthat when 1-10 g of vibration is present, higher levels of power areproduced in comparison with a low “g” microgenerator. In embodimentsthat include microgenerator 25, a user may recharge a discharged headsetby shaking the headset. It should be noted that the wireless headset maybe designed with only a single microgenerator, depending on the powerrequirements of the headset and the power capabilities of themicrogenerator.

In at least one embodiment, the microgenerators 20, 22, and 25 comprisea coil 24 and a moving magnet 26. While FIG. 3 depicts themicrogenerators 20, 22, and 25 housed within the body 5 of the headset,one or both microgenerators may instead be contained within the ear clip13, as shown in FIG. 2. Or, in some embodiments, the microgenerators maybe placed in both the body 5 of the headset as well as in the ear clip13.

Other embodiments of microgenerators may also be used with embodimentsof the present invention. For example, a microelectromechanical systemsgenerator available from Ferro Solutions, Inc. at 215 First Street,Cambridge, Mass. 02142 (www.ferrosi.com), such as described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,984,902, the entire contents of which being expressly incorporatedherein by reference, may be used. Also, a microgenerator available fromPerpetuum, LTD at Epsilon House, Southampton Science Park, Southampton,SO16 7NS, United Kingdom (www.perpetuum.co.uk), such as described inU.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 20070194634 and 20070210580,the entire contents of each being expressly incorporated herein byreference, may be used. In addition, a nonresonant or tunablemicrogenerator such as the one of developed by Peng Miao of ImperialCollege, London, UK may be utilized. More information regarding the PengMiao device may be found in “Converter Circuit Design, SemiconductorDevice Selection And Analysis Of Parasitics For Micropower ElectrostaticGenerators,” IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, Volume 21, Issue 1,January 2006 Page(s): 27-37, the entire content of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the headset 4 includes amale mini-USB jack 28, as shown in FIG. 3. Including jack 28 allows theheadset 4 to be charged directly from the cell phone. In at least oneembodiment, the jack 28 is a female mini-USB jack, used in conjunctionwith an adaptor cable, to connect the headset directly to the cellphone. In some embodiments, the headset may be recharged by applyingwall power to the jack 28 via a cable and power supply. While the jack28 is described above to be a mini-USB jack, the jack 28 is not intendedto be limited to a specific type of jack, but rather is directed towardthe general concept of connecting the headset directly to the cell phoneto allow recharging the headset via the cell phone battery. One ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any number of connectorsmay be used for such a purpose.

Still referring to FIG. 3, wireless headset 4 is depicted with anotherdevice for converting energy into electrical power, specificallypiezoelectric energy. The headset includes a piezoelectric transducer29. In at least one embodiment, the piezoelectric transducer 29comprises polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). PVDF exhibitspiezoelectricity, a characteristic that allows a material to generateelectric potential upon application of a mechanical force. Therefore, inembodiments comprising PVDF, a user may recharge the headset throughapplication of repetitive pressure to the PVDF material, such as bysqueezing between a finger and thumb. One of ordinary skill willrecognize that the PVDF transducer 29 may be incorporated into theheadset at a number of locations in order to prevent interference by ordamage to the solar cells 14, 16.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the piezoelectrictransducer may include a piezoelectric ceramic material such aslead-zirconia-titania (PZT) combined with a metal conductor to create aPZT bimorph, such as the device developed by EoPlex Technologies(www.eoplex.com).

Referring now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the wireless headset 4 isillustrated. The embodiment in FIG. 4 shows another of the two or moredevices for converting energy into electrical power, namelythermoelectric device 30. The thermoelectric device is designed toconvert temperature differentials into electrical power. The electricalpower generating property of a thermoelectric device is due to theSeebeck effect. As defined by www.dictionary.com, the Seebeck effect is“the creation of an electrical potential across points in a metal thatare at different temperatures.”

Still referring to FIG. 4, the wireless headset 4 is placed on the earof the user with ear clip 13, like before. In at least one embodiment, athermoelectric device 30, positioned close to or within the ear canal31, is connected thermally to the user's body through conductivematerial 32. In some embodiments, the conductive material 32 is a highdensity conductive polymer. The thermoelectric device 30 is electricallyengaged to the circuitry in the wireless headset 4, as described below.

The outer side of the thermoelectric device 30 is connected through thethermally conductive material 34 to the solar cell(s) on the outside ofthe wireless headset in order to sense the ambient temperature.Insulating material 36 surrounds the conductive material 34 to maintainthe outside of the thermoelectric device at a temperature close toambient.

One example of a suitable thermoelectric device 30 is the Low PowerThermoelectric Generator manufactured by the DTS Company of Halle,Germany (www.dts-generator.com/main-e.htm). It has a volume ofapproximately 0.2 cm³. With a typical inner ear temperature of about 37degrees Celsius and an ambient temperature of about 25 Celsius, there isa thermal gradient of approximately 12 degrees Celsius. A thermalgradient of approximately 12 degrees Celsius allows a thermoelectricdevice to generate approximately 10 microwatts of power. This amount ofpower is sufficient to maintain the sleep mode of a typical Bluetoothintegrated circuit, such as the Toshiba. TB31296FT which draws about 0.1microwatts in sleep mode.

At least one embodiment of a suitable thermoelectric device comprisessilicon nanowires. Information regarding silicon nanowires andthermoelectric devices may be found in the article entitled “SiliconNanowires Turn Heat to Electricity,” by Neil Savage, which may be foundat www.spectrum.ieee.org/jan08/5879, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

In at least one embodiment, the thermoelectric device 30 in FIG. 4 maybe incorporated into the ear clip instead of, or in addition to, thethermoelectric device placed within the ear canal. Such an embodimenttakes advantage of the thermal contact that naturally takes placebetween the ear clip and the skin behind the ear. The ear clip may bedesigned with a surface area greater than a typical wireless headset earclip in order to accommodate more, or incorporate larger, thermoelectricdevices.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a simplified schematic of an embodiment of thepower handling circuitry contained within the body of the wirelessheadset is illustrated. As seen in FIG. 5, the microgenerators (20, 22)are in electrical communication with the input of the full waverectifiers (40, 42), while the solar cells (14, 16) and thethermoelectric device 30 are in electrical communication with the inputof the regulators (44, 46, 48).

Still referring to FIG. 5, the electrical power generated from thevertical axis microgenerator 22 is captured by a solid state full waverectifier 40. A solid state full wave rectifier is well known in the artand involves electronic controls of field effect transistors toeliminate the diode drop of a conventional rectifier. Similarly, thehorizontal axis microgenerator 20 feeds its electrical power into asecond solid state full wave rectifier 42. The two solar cells (14, 16)feed their output into the current regulators (44, 46). The currentregulators draw the optimal load on the solar cells to deliver themaximum power depending on the ambient light available. For example,during bright daylight hours they would be able to draw more power thanin the evening when there would be almost no power drawn.

The thermoelectric device 30 feeds its electrical power into regulator48, The internal impedance of the thermoelectric device is quite high,on the order of one meg-ohm. Depending upon the temperature differentialsensed, the regulator 48 gives an optimally matched impedance to drawthe maximum power from thermoelectric device 30. The outputs of the fullwave rectifiers and regulators are then fed into a power multiplexer 50.Solid state circuitry then converts the input voltage levels to anoptimal voltage level to charge the energy storage element 52. Theenergy storage element 52 provides the supply voltage V_(CC) and poweroutput to the electronic circuitry. The energy storage device may be arechargeable battery, such as those made from lithium-ion cells, nickelmetal hydride cells, or a nickel-cadmium cells. The energy storagedevice may also be a supercapacitor. Supercapacitors, also known asultracapacitors, are known by those skilled in the art. Supercapacitorshave much higher energy density than ordinary capacitors, due at leastin part to their double layer design. An example supercapacitor isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,926, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

Still referring to FIG. 5, in embodiments using piezoelectric energy,the PVDF transducer 29 output is fed into the power multiplexer 50. Inembodiments of the present invention that connect directly to either acell phone or to wall power, the cell phone power or wall power is inputthe power multiplexer 50.

At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a circuit 82to harvest S-band microwave energy 84. The circuit 82 takes microwaveenergy 84 and converts it into a DC current. The use of such a circuitallows a headset to be recharged quickly by placing the headset in amicrowave oven, a source of S-band radiation. The output is fed into thepower multiplexer 50. An example of such a circuit is described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,994,871, the entire contents of which being expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

It should be noted that the power handling circuitry of the wirelessheadset is not limited to what is shown in the simplified schematic ofFIG. 5. Rather, one of ordinary skill will recognize that a number ofadditional electrical components may be desirable to improveperformance.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a simplified exemplary implementation of theBluetooth circuitry used to enable the wireless headset is illustratedin accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thesingle chip Bluetooth RF integrated circuit, such as the ToshibaTB31296FT, is shown as element 60. The Bluetooth RF integrated circuitis connected to antenna 62, crystal 64, and to baseband circuit 66. Thebaseband circuit 66 reads the status of the power-on switch 70 which isoperated by the on/off switch 12 of FIG. 2. The baseband circuit 66 alsoreads the status of volume-up switch 72 and volume-down switch 74, bothof which are operated by the volume control 10 of FIG. 2. In addition,the baseband circuit 66 takes a signal from microphone 76 and outputs anaudio signal to speaker 80.

Although FIG. 6 specifically depicts using Bluetooth circuitry,embodiments of the present invention are also directed towards the moregeneral concept of providing power to a wireless headset used for RFcommunications, independent of a particular communications protocol.

Referring now to FIG. 7, another embodiment of the present invention isdepicted. FIG. 7 depicts sunglasses 90 with solar cells 92 on the frame94 and temple bows 96. The solar cells 92 provide power to the wirelesscircuitry that is embedded within the sunglasses 90. A thin-film opticallayer covers the solar cells 92 for cosmetic effect while allowingtransmission of optimal light wavelengths for solar efficiency. Alsoincluded in the sunglasses 90 of FIG. 7 is a built-in ear-piece 98.Although not specifically depicted, at least one embodiment of thesunglasses 90 of FIG. 7 includes at least one thermoelectric device 30as described in detail above. And, although not specifically depicted,some embodiments of the sunglasses 90 of FIG. 7 include at least onemicrogenerator as described in detail above.

FIG. 8 depicts lens for use with the sunglass 90 of FIG. 7. FIG. 8depicts a microscopic grid of solar cells 100 embedded in the lens 110.Each cell is less than 0.2 mm by 0.2 mm, which prevents obstruction ofvision. The solar cells 100 have a coverage of about 10-50% of the lens.Some embodiments of the invention include the use of nanowire solarcells, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,265,037, the entire contentsof which being expressly incorporated herein by reference.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive.This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one ofordinary skill in this art. The various elements shown in the individualfigures and described above may be combined or modified for combinationas desired. All these alternatives and variations are intended to beincluded within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising”means “including, but not limited to”.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims canbe combined with each other in other manners within the scope of theinvention such that the invention should be recognized as alsospecifically directed to other embodiments having any other possiblecombination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, forpurposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows shouldbe taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from allprior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependentclaim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within thejurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should bealternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). Injurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, thefollowing dependent claims should each be also taken as alternativelywritten in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependencyfrom a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claimlisted in such dependent claim below.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternateembodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognizeother equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein whichequivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attachedhereto.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A wireless headset comprising: a bodycomprising a radiofrequency (RF) integrated circuit in electricalcommunication with an antenna and a baseband circuit, the basebandcircuit in electrical communication with a microphone and a speaker; anear clip engaged to the body; a first adapter configured to engage asecond adapter of a cellular phone and receive power from the cellularphone; a plurality of devices for converting at least two differentsources of energy into electrical power, the plurality of devices beingin electrical communication with the RF integrated circuit and thebaseband circuit, wherein the at least two different sources of energyare selected from the group consisting of solar energy, thermoelectricenergy, piezoelectric energy, and vibration energy, a first one of theplurality of devices comprising a first microgenerator configured toconvert vibration energy to electrical power, wherein the ear clipcomprises the first microgenerator.
 2. The wireless headset of claim 1further comprising a second microgenerator, wherein the firstmicrogenerator is oriented on a first axis, the second microgenerator isoriented on a second axis, and the first axis is not parallel to thesecond axis.